Antique Hardstone Intaglio Signet Ring

Circa 1950s, 14k, Switzerland. This classic fifties signet ring is set with a fine intaglio-cut bloodstone seal emblazoned with a coat of arms. Meticulously made in fourteen-karat ye...

Circa 1920s, 14k, by Tiffany & Co., New York. Decorated with a fabulous Swiss cross and the motto "Labore et Virtute", this Deco signet ring by Tiffany & Co. has a classic town and...

Circa 1920s, 14k. This gorgeous Deco signet ring features ornate gold work set with a fine blue lapis lazuli. The crisp clean lines of the stone visually pop against the superb 18k ...

Circa 1970s, 18k, Switzerland. This stylish seventies signet ring is set with an intaglio-cut agate decorated with a classic coat of arms. Meticulously made featuring a heavy, hammer...

Circa 1890s, 14k. This classic seal-style ring is set with an exceptional intaglio-cut carnelian with a highly detailed depiction of the God Ares. Well made in fourteen-karat yellow ...

Circa 1970s, 18k, by Bvlgari, Italy. This Bvlgari ring is stylish seventies fashion, perfect for modern looks, and everyday wear. The vibrant jasper seal features an intaglio-cut im...

A very unusual antique gold ring set with a carved brown and white hardstone cameo depicting the theatrical comic mask of Silenus, the Greek mythological old rustic god of wine-making and drunkenness. The ring was made in the late 19th century and carries French control marks for 18K gold, whilst the cameo is probably Italian and made slightly earlier, circa 1800. Silenus was a companion to the wine god Dionysus, and suitably he was a notorious consumer of wine, usually drunk and supported by satyrs or carried by a donkey. Silenus was described as the oldest, wisest and most drunken of the followers of Dionysus, and was said to possess special knowledge and the power of prophecy when intoxicated. He presides over the other satyrs and is related to musical creativity, prophetic ecstasy, drunken joy and drunken dances. Silenus was usually depicted as a jovial old man, bald yet bearded, with a pot-belly, thick lips and snub-nose. The masks worn to play him in theatre really emphasised these features, as you can see with this cameo carving Theatre was a key part of ancient Greek culture. The theatrical masks worn by the actors, known as ‘prosopon’, served various purposes. They enabled individual actors to play multiple roles (or genders) in the same performance; the exaggerated expressions helped define the character being portrayed; they helped spectators in the back rows to tell the characters apart. This particular masked as mentioned before is a comedic Silenus, please see final photo for other examples of Silenus masks in museum collections. UK size N 1/2, US size 7 4.84g 18K gold French ‘tête...

Centering an square tablet of banded agate measuring approximately 10.4 x 10.2 mm Translucent with a frosted white top and a black base Deeply carved to depict a winged griffin, fier...

Circa 1910 14k Yellow Gold Intaglio Signet Ring, the top measures 9/16 X 9/16 inch and is set with a dark Red Ancient Greek - Roman style Intaglio. Hand chased design work on the si...

Here we have an 18ct yellow gold oval shaped signet ring. This vintage piece showcases a finely detailed deep intaglio of the head of a stag. Above the main design the words read '...

This late 1790s - early 1800s carnelian intaglio features a neo-classical profile of Queen Luise of Prussia (1776-1810), who made neckerchiefs popular. Luise is wearing a neckerchief, a pearl tiara...

Circa 1917 Tiffany & Company 14k Yellow Gold Signet Crest Ring, the top measures 1/2 X 1/2 inch and is set with a Carnelian that is Engraved with a s...